As I type (ouch) this, I'm (ouch) dealing (ouch) with a sore (ouch) finger from last night's (ouch) softball practice. As I was stopping a grounder in the outfield, the ball grew teeth and bit my right hand – obviously the one without the leather oven mitt on it to protect it. I've got a pretty little bruise, but it only hurts when I hit it on something (or type), which should make it a wonderful day at work. Half my job involves typing, and right now I'm touchtyping with my left hand and hunting/pecking with my right.
The only other softball-related injury I've had this season was a bruised toenail when I stopped a ball with my foot (maybe a brain injury because I thought it was soccer until the pain radiated up my leg to parts well known). Years ago, however, my sister was injured playing softball. Really, it was during warmups and someone's errant throw hit her right in the kisser.
This was a worst-fear-realized, because after extensive dental and orthodontic work, my parents didn't want her to play. I'm not just talking about braces and a teeth cleaning. My sister had jaw surgery, had a palate expander installed, had gorilla brace work, head gear and her jaw wired shut for a month. Ten years later, she still wears a retainer at night.
Anyhow, the softball knocked her top front teeth back against the roof of her mouth. After the initial shock and pain of the impact, she got a glimpse of herself in a mirror and started wailing about "her beautiful teeth." An emergency Saturday dental visit miraculously saved her smile. Her recent dental work had been a blessing; because her teeth were not completely set after being moved around, they were pliable. A similar shot to the mouth of a typical adult would have likely resulted in shattered teeth.
My parents describe the sound of her teeth being popped back into place as akin to a squeaky door being slowly shut. My sister's softball career ended after that frightful day, but she continues to smile.
"Softball" is definitely a misnomer. Sure, it's not as hard or as fast as baseball. But pro baseball players wear helmets when at bat and special protection elsewhere. Playing amateur softball is sometimes like riding with a teen-age driver without a seatbelt. You never know what's gonna happen. At times it's a joy ride, and making new friends is always a plus. But I may (ouch) take next (ouch) season off!
I have so many sports related injuries and scars, it's not even funny.
I can remember getting line-drived so hard in the chest once during a game that it knocked the wind out of me.
Good times.
That story about the teeth gave me the chills. And not in the good way. I had to do the Icky Icky Icky Dance to shake the visuals out of my head.
There's a lesson to be learned in your story: Sports are dangerous, but no one ever got hurt watching tv...(Bring on the Olympics already!)